We know D.C. Get our free newsletter to stay in the know.
A regular summary of irregular news and notes from neighborhood blogs and email lists around the District.
No Beer Here: New Columbia Heights ruminates that the empty lot at 14th and W streets NW, which is slated to be redeveloped as condos, would make an excellent beer garden: “That said, wouldn’t it make an awesome place for a beer garden? You could keep the small building as the kitchen and maybe a bar, like Standard down at 14th and S, and make the rest outdoor tables and umbrellas. But unfortunately, it looks like that isn’t going to happen. It’s currently owned by local developer Douglas Jemal (oddly, the LLC he set up for it is called Jemal’s Hookers LLC) and they’re looking for retail tenants already.” Commenters dissent, however; one writes, “With Bicycle Stations around the corner having moved out, it would be a great place for a bike shop. Beer garden next to a school? No thanks. That’s the last thing we need,” while another offers, “The perfect place for a beer garden would be 14th and Clifton (where the Duron paint store is).”
Why Choose? Ward 3 DC synthesizes the lengthy debate that has been occurring on the Tenleytown email list regarding possible streetcar alignments for upper Northwest. The armchair urban planners on the email list have argued vigorously for and against the District Department of Transportation’s proposed Wisconsin Avenue NW line, and an ANC commissioner has suggested that Connecticut Avenue NW be considered instead. But as the blog points out, “Both streets had streetcar lines in previous eras (see map for post consolidation era layout). Connecticut Avenue was developed by the Chevy Chase Land Company, and the development patterns on that road were created specifically for the Streetcar. Ms. Sherman is correct that connecting downtown to Chevy Chase Circle and beyond by Streetcar is a good idea. However, this should not be done instead of Wisconsin Avenue, but in addition. Connecting Rosslyn and Georgetown to Tenleytown, Friendship Heights, and extending up to NIH and Rockville was part of a system in the 20th Century. Similarly, connecting downtown to Chevy Chase and Chevy Chase Lake and beyond via Connecticut Avenue is a good idea. There is no reason why these shouldn’t be part of the long term plans for the region.” If only DDOT had access to unlimited funds and faced no opposition!
Catch Me If You’d Like: The Palisades email list is in surprisingly strong support of more oversight from speed cameras on MacArthur Boulevard NW—to catch the non-neighbors unawares. One member writes, “Where we are on MacArthur the drivers have long since memorized where the camera is. Locals are rarely caught and as soon as they have glided past the camera they hit the accelerator. Woe betide the dog walker crossing at that point. In my daughter’s neighborhood in Baltimore, and others around it, they use a moveable camera installation. No car. It’s some sort of a box on a concrete pad, and it can be transported from neighborhood to neighborhood without notice. Seems to work well indeed.” Other list members rally; one writes, “A movable speed camera! Now, that is a terrific idea! Can we get it implemented here on this avenue that has become a freeway?” while another suggests something similar might also have a place on Arizona Avenue NW.
Brookland, ISO: A member of the Brookland email list asks, “Does anyone know where I can rent an IBM typewriter for one day? Alternatively, I have an old one that needs some work.” At present, a response has yet to be elicited from the electronic, web-based group.